2023 Preakness: Mage convinces connections he's ready for the second leg
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Kentucky Derby winner Mage has been confirmed by his connections as an intended participant in next Saturday's Preakness Stakes.
Mage, who returned to the track Tuesday at Churchill Downs for trainer Gustavo Delgado, went for another gallop Friday morning that his connections had indicated would be key in assessing his status for the second leg of the Triple Crown. Following the gallop, members of his ownership team confirmed their intent to enter the Pimlico classic.
"Very excited. He's had a magnificent week of training," said Ramiro Restrepo, one of the colt's co-owners along with OGMA Investments, Sterling Racing, and Commonwealth. "Gustavo's just really pleased and over the moon with how he's come back [from the Derby].
“He's shown all the positive signs. So it's on to Baltimore and crab cakes."
Delgado told Churchill Downs officials that Mage will depart the track by van for Baltimore on Saturday afternoon, after training that morning. The trip is estimated to take about nine hours.
Entries and post positions for the Preakness will be drawn Monday, and all Preakness entrants must be on the grounds a minimum of 72 hours before the race.
Mage moving on to the Preakness means that for the first time since Justify swept the Triple Crown in 2018, a straightforward Derby winner will attempt to match his feat.
In 2019, Maximum Security crossed the line first in the Kentucky Derby, but was disqualified for interference. Neither he nor promoted Derby winner Country House ran in the Preakness.
The following year, the Belmont Stakes was held in June before the September Kentucky Derby during the pandemic-shuffled Triple Crown. Authentic defeated Belmont winner Tiz the Law in the Derby, and then the filly Swiss Skydiver defeated Authentic in the Preakness, the final leg of the series, in October.
In 2021, Medina Spirit’s positive post-race test for betamethasone was revealed early Preakness Stakes week, placing his Derby first-place finish under the microscope. With Derby runner-up Mandaloun not present in Baltimore, Medina Spirit finished third in the Preakness.
:: DRF's Preakness Headquarters: Contenders, latest news, and more
In February 2022, Medina Spirit was officially disqualified from the Derby, a ruling that is still under appeal.
Last year, Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike did not contest the Preakness.
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